Jalen

[SMU Section F]

You don't build a program with EM, you build a program with consistency. Where is George Mason now? From Final Four to 9 win season.

I'd personally argue that signing Mudiay changed our program significantly even though he never suited up. Just another way our program gets exposure and gains the perception of legitimacy. I think things worked out perfectly (given Emmanuel's situation): we get the exposure of signing a top-tier recruit, but avoided the backlash any school that signed Emmanuel would likely have faced.

I've heard multiple claims that we knew in advance that Emmanuel would never suit up for us. I don't know the validity of that particular rumor, but it doesn't seem too crazy.


Also, who on George Mason's Final Four team equates to Emmanuel Mudiay? Your point is valid, but there are better examples.

[RGV Pony]

Larrinaga had 13 consecutive winning seasons at Mason including that final four

[mustangxc]

You don't build a program with EM, you build a program with consistency. Where is George Mason now? From Final Four to 9 win season.

I'd personally argue that signing Mudiay changed our program significantly even though he never suited up. Just another way our program gets exposure and gains the perception of legitimacy. I think things worked out perfectly (given Emmanuel's situation): we get the exposure of signing a top-tier recruit, but avoided the backlash any school that signed Emmanuel would likely have faced.

I've heard multiple claims that we knew in advance that Emmanuel would never suit up for us. I don't know the validity of that particular rumor, but it doesn't seem too crazy.


Also, who on George Mason's Final Four team equates to Emmanuel Mudiay? Your point is valid, but there are better examples.

I disagree. Had we landed any of the Dallas guys that went to A&M, I would agree. Landing EM, but having him not suit up did nothing for us other than raise the NCAA's tentacles.

My point with EM is, let's say we had him suit up and make it to the Final Four but have no one to replace him and strike out on recruiting, how much impact does one season of brilliance really have?

[SMU Section F]

You don't build a program with EM, you build a program with consistency. Where is George Mason now? From Final Four to 9 win season.

I'd personally argue that signing Mudiay changed our program significantly even though he never suited up. Just another way our program gets exposure and gains the perception of legitimacy. I think things worked out perfectly (given Emmanuel's situation): we get the exposure of signing a top-tier recruit, but avoided the backlash any school that signed Emmanuel would likely have faced.

I've heard multiple claims that we knew in advance that Emmanuel would never suit up for us. I don't know the validity of that particular rumor, but it doesn't seem too crazy.


Also, who on George Mason's Final Four team equates to Emmanuel Mudiay? Your point is valid, but there are better examples.

I disagree. Had we landed any of the Dallas guys that went to A&M, I would agree. Landing EM, but having him not suit up did nothing for us other than raise the NCAA's tentacles.

My point with EM is, let's say we had him suit up and make it to the Final Four but have no one to replace him and strike out on recruiting, how much impact does one season of brilliance really have?

Agree to disagree then. Very subjective topic.

I think the Mudiay exposure was largely a good thing, although I also think it is for the best that he never played for us.

Additionally, I think you are overstating the importance of the Dallas guys that went to A&M. Some fine players, yes, but I don't think they'll be missed. (I'm also not sure that SMU really wanted all of them...) I'm very happy with our recruiting success to this point.

[PonyKai]

Larrinaga had 13 consecutive winning seasons at Mason including that final four

Hopefully their boosters step up and commit to facilities upgrades for the next coach. They have no hoops-only practice facility and the Mason Center is outdated and in need of aesthetic upgrades, at the least. Coupled with a new coach, that's going to cost a penny or two.

They're almost the reverse of SMU. We have a number of really rich guys who keep us afloat by pumping millions of dollars into facilities but no one cares. They have a bunch of people who care (or at least did; Paul Hewitt didn't help that) and seemingly few to write the checks.